Elvert Lavon (Von) Newton was born March 4, 1939, and went to be with his Lord on February 6, 2023. Von was born in his grandparents’ home on Spring Creek near Cowden, Oklahoma. His parents were Vertus and Juanita Newton.
As a youth, his family relocated several times — following his father’s employment, settling in Oklahoma City when Von was a teenager.
He received his GED while in the Navy where he served on the USS Montrose as a carpenter and machinist. Von made a living as a welder/fabricator, but anyone that knew him knows, he was so much more. He could build or fix anything.
Von married the love of his life, Laura Annetta Richey-Stovall on April 7, 1984. Between them they had five children. Von, Annetta and the youngest son lived in Edmond where they attended Edmond First Church of the Nazarene (EFC).
Von was very active in his church and was often called on to build or create something for the church. One thing EFC did not have was a cross on the front of the building so they turned to Von. He built and installed one.
When they opened the daycare as a ministry to the community, the railing in the gymnasium was not safe, so he reinforced the rails, blocked the spaces between the bars, and built a gate so the kids could not wander off. His work was not only functional, but also beautiful. He had a way of working with metal that made you stand back and wonder how he made something so mundane look so incredible.
Von loved God, his family, adventure, history and a good laugh. He spent countless hours outdoors. Von loved camping and the lake. He did enjoy fishing but he loved boating and skiing. Von considered it a personal challenge to make you wipe out if you were on skis or on a tube behind his boat.
He would escape to the mountains of New Mexico or Colorado any chance he had, one of his favorite spots was Eagles Nest in New Mexico.
He also loved traveling to see his kids in Georgia or Florida. He and Annetta had many adventures with their kids to Alaska, Yellowstone, Georgia, Colorado, Branson and many other places.
Von loved to read, had a Western hidden somewhere within reach and loved immersing himself in history, but his favorite book to read was the Bible.
His faith was deep and he showed that in his daily life. He was an example of a Godly man, not so much in words but in action. He took care of his church and the people. After he retired, he cared for the church property along with one or two other volunteers.
Von was an unassuming man but his wisdom and guidance was sought by many. When asked a question, he would pause, chew on the earpiece of his glasses and give the answer, and you could take that answer to the bank.
It didn’t matter what his kids or grandkids were doing, he made time to be present to help them celebrate their many accomplishments, birthdays or activities.
Von was loved and respected by many and he will be greatly missed.
Von was preceded in death by: his parents, Vertus and Juanita, his son Jr. and grandson Blake Newton.
He is survived by: his wife Annetta of the home, his sister Sallie Zabel and her husband Albert of Emporia, Kan., brother Ron Newton and Gina of Davis, Oklahoma, his daughter Janet Hamilton and her husband Jerry of Punta Gorda, Florida, son Randy Newton and wife Dee of Madill, Oklahoma, son Thomas “Jeff” Newton and his wife Elaine of Ringgold, Georgia, son Richey Stovall and his wife Jennifer of Edmond, Oklahoma, and grandchildren, Little Von Newton, Jacob Newton, Lona White, Elizabeth Newton, Jannette Hamilton, Sierra Hamilton, Starr Newton, Deserae Kirby, Tom Newton, Marie Henson, Debra Henson, Jayme Anderson, Amber Newton, Dilynn Stovall and Carter Stovall, and their families.
Von had countless greatgrandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services for Von were at 10 a.m., Thursday, February 9, 2023, at the Edmond First Church of the Nazarene, 3001 South Boulevard, Edmond, Oklahoma. Interment was at 2:30 p.m. at the Sappington Chapel Cemetery in Cowden, Oklahoma.
Services were under the direction of Eisenhour Funeral Home of Blanchard. Online obituary and guestbook are available at www.eisenhourfh.com.
